tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post7849788107179914269..comments2024-03-29T06:19:51.007-05:00Comments on Jackson Jambalaya: M-I-C-K-E-Y, M-O-M-D-EKingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-86630050608877927042016-06-29T06:40:32.365-05:002016-06-29T06:40:32.365-05:00I'm 1:35 and I wasn't complaining. Just cl...I'm 1:35 and I wasn't complaining. Just clearing up what the $4000 goes toward. Alternatively, imagine what manner of bullshit regulation and process these people could be involved in if they remained in Jackson. Send Them On A Cruise...noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-16053520115120997242016-06-28T09:40:46.480-05:002016-06-28T09:40:46.480-05:001:35, quit complaining. These people deserve to b...1:35, quit complaining. These people deserve to be able to swindle the tax payers. It is their right for being so much more intelligent that us peons. It has too be true or it would not happen. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-52263924520502111332016-06-28T01:35:00.038-05:002016-06-28T01:35:00.038-05:00The $4000 registration fee includes charter fishin...The $4000 registration fee includes charter fishing boat, open/free bar nightly, golf, day trip for spouses or friend-boys, heavy horror-dee-oovers, evening entertainment beginning with the night prior, and a braided-bill cap made in China.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-59419381106077903622016-06-27T14:51:02.964-05:002016-06-27T14:51:02.964-05:00Interesting that the Grand Floridian expense repor...Interesting that the Grand Floridian expense report doesn't mention the $4,000 registration fee. Or, that there are state-rate hotel rooms available at this conference that Dr. Porter chose not to use. While I agree that conferences are an integral part of professional development and, if used correctly, they are important, I'm not sure that paying a $4,000 registration fee for two people and staying in a hotel that was not designated for state-rate is an efficient and effective use of tax-payer funds.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-50341992132984374242016-06-27T09:41:18.420-05:002016-06-27T09:41:18.420-05:009:55, Is Ms that stupid or is he violating the law...9:55, Is Ms that stupid or is he violating the law?<br /><br />Yes, Ms. is that stupid. Where do you think Ms. can drop to in education? We are already in last place. When they come up with something lower than last place, look for Ms. to lock it in.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-48251543584589331102016-06-27T05:27:29.834-05:002016-06-27T05:27:29.834-05:00For the apologists on here who think this isn'...For the apologists on here who think this isn't much money, look at it this way: Allowing an employee to schedule him/herself to attend multiple conferences throughout the year is akin to being allowed to take a three-day-weekend every couple of weeks. How nice. This woman thinks her employees are in such stressful jobs that they need to ulax, rewind, recharge, put on that untucked-Hawaiian shirt and head out of town six to twelve times a year on the citizen's dime. <br /><br />For 3:27...who so often mentions a 'teacher's union'....Please cite whatever evidence you have of the existence of such. This state has no state employee collecting bargaining in its structure and that includes teachers. No universal grievance procedure, no collective bargaining, no salary protection, no rights of transfer or retention, no seniority retention or assignment plan, no elected officials, no union stewards, no union president, no union rep, no NLRB protections. So, either quit bringing it up or cite your evidence, clown. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-29824153922845899612016-06-27T00:10:13.681-05:002016-06-27T00:10:13.681-05:00Is Ms that stupid
Better ask Stacey Pickering!
...Is Ms that stupid <br /><br />Better ask Stacey Pickering!<br /><br />He catches 'em!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-39392962712207098992016-06-26T21:55:40.127-05:002016-06-26T21:55:40.127-05:00Does MS not have travel regulations for govt emplo...Does MS not have travel regulations for govt employees? Nearly all states I am familiar with say no first class, except for executive (governor but not his entourage!) and or as indicated by physician (disability, length of trip and DVT risk due to age or illness as specified by doctors note and reqd by ADA or OHSA).<br /><br />JJ, can you look into this?<br /><br />Is he violating state law by traveling first class? <br /><br />If not, why does such a poor state fail to have such regulations?<br /><br />I am familiar with many states' and fed govt rules for both state/govt employees and contractors. For example, every consulting contract (admittedly none with MS) I have seen/negotiated will not reimburse or cover first class travel. For anyone. <br /><br />Is Ms that stupid or is he violating the law?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-5469933194227708352016-06-26T21:45:53.651-05:002016-06-26T21:45:53.651-05:00@4:09 yep. From a statewide conference last week I...@4:09 yep. From a statewide conference last week I got a notepad, pencil, a hard plastic water bottle and a tote bag. 14 more conferences in the next year and I'll have something to disclose. (@1:59 show where "teachers" got kickbacks on computers.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-74454132103612780662016-06-26T16:09:38.180-05:002016-06-26T16:09:38.180-05:00This guy, who knows so much (but not even the diff...This guy, who knows so much (but not even the difference between MDE and IHL where his "friend" works and keeps him informed) must be right. The teachers here are living high on kickbacks, notepads, pens, and free food from vendors. I just wonder where I can sign up for this life of luxury (and trip to Disney).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-40515693640963740542016-06-26T13:59:38.252-05:002016-06-26T13:59:38.252-05:00First it was teachers do not get to pick vendors.
...First it was teachers do not get to pick vendors.<br />Then came they get to pick vendors but might get a pen and note pad.<br />Now teachers are not picking vendors but can only take up to $150.00.<br /><br />It wasn't that long ago it made the news when teachers at a Biloxi casino received kick backs from a vendor that got the contract to supply computers. <br /><br />Research is a great tool. Too bad so many people are not able or willing to do it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-64252704562596726542016-06-26T13:40:28.986-05:002016-06-26T13:40:28.986-05:00So back to the original erroneous statement that t...So back to the original erroneous statement that teachers are picking state vendors- they aren't. As to disclosure we aren't allowed to accept much of anything without it being disclosed. I think it is a total of $150.00 a year from all vendors combined. That supposedly includes free food at receptions at conferences held by vendors. Contrast that to my medical friends who have nearly every breakfast and lunch brought in by a vendor. Boy, teachers and admins we sure have it good. The private sector is way better and free from outside influence. Sorry- friends with too many people in the med field to believe one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-9605807328972799512016-06-26T10:16:25.735-05:002016-06-26T10:16:25.735-05:00Once a person is appointed or hired to a board or ...Once a person is appointed or hired to a board or a key position in State government, the flattery begins. Those who need that person's vote will do everything they can to find a way to win it. It could be providing social advantages to the person or those important to that person. It could be invitations to conventions to speak. The opportunities to appeal to the human ego are countless. <br />In those rare cases where the person doesn't respond to these appeals to ego and needs, the strategy is to neutralize the " threat" by discrediting the person. <br />The same tactics are used with newly elected positions and organizational representatives. <br />That anyone believes those at the bottom rung are actually considered or represented is naïve.<br />Since those at the top of systems want to stay at the top, it quickly gets to be all about their self-interest and rationalizing that there self- interest is everyone's self interest is easy.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-91371241079832392552016-06-26T10:15:56.058-05:002016-06-26T10:15:56.058-05:00I'm a state employee who has worked for 3 diff...I'm a state employee who has worked for 3 different agencies. Absolutely there are jerkwads like this that do nothing concrete, and when you ask them to define their jobs you'll hear a lot of abstractions and generalizations, and they shamelessly accept their made-up positions because, heck, it beats working for a living. Sure, there are people who pad travel. But there are also true public servants who work hard and are honest. Also, some agencies have missions of dubious importance yet are overfunded and overstaffed, while some with missions of critical importance are starved. I guess what I'm saying is that it's a complex landscape.<br /><br />If Tate and Gunn want to make government more cost effective, they need to do a thorough investigation of the agencies and all of the PINs, and then make smart cuts, as opposed to just slashing and burning with little to no strategy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-82501889635324746672016-06-26T09:19:32.729-05:002016-06-26T09:19:32.729-05:009:11, no it isn't an open event. If you were ...9:11, no it isn't an open event. If you were not allowed to go it wasn't an accident. They are usually held in one of the casinos. Of course they do not want people knowing about it. <br />If you do some research you can find out when they stopped declaring the gifts they received from the lucky vendors. That would require a little work on your part. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-16943544501836824372016-06-25T21:11:28.639-05:002016-06-25T21:11:28.639-05:00@11:34 as has already been stated the IHL and MDE ...@11:34 as has already been stated the IHL and MDE are two different agencies, but can you find out where this vendor festival takes place? In our house one of us works K-12 and one works Higher Ed- 20 plus years for each of us. In all seriousness I'd like to know where/when this takes place. I'd put money that if it happens that it isn't an open event.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-79218293090563586032016-06-25T14:45:34.661-05:002016-06-25T14:45:34.661-05:00Kingfish re-shared travel expenses from a Departme...<i>Kingfish re-shared travel expenses from a Department of a State agency that someone else wrote in another article on for effect.</i><br /><br />Actually no. I reprinted Mr. Wilson's article with his permission. The news about Elton Stokes was original and obtained through public records requests filed by this website with MDE. Nice try. Kingfishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-62717386890022411922016-06-25T13:24:34.913-05:002016-06-25T13:24:34.913-05:00Teachers are called in to look at curriculum from ...Teachers are called in to look at curriculum from preselected curriculum companies from time to time. There is an opinion given there - but the teachers don't get anything special (oh -maybe an exciting pen or notepad).<br /><br />At one time the "gifts" had to be disclosed. As the gifts became larger the disclosing became less likely to happen. After a while the gifts were never mentioned. The gift giving didn't stop, just the disclosing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-68585113408593011292016-06-25T12:02:27.795-05:002016-06-25T12:02:27.795-05:00IHL = Institute of Higher Learning? The board tha...IHL = Institute of Higher Learning? The board that oversees the state universities and colleges. <br /><br />MDE = Mississippi Dept of Education. Oversees public schools in Mississippi.<br /><br />Perhaps that is how it is done in the colleges and universities, but public school teachers are not choosing vendors. <br /><br />Teachers are called in to look at curriculum from preselected curriculum companies from time to time. There is an opinion given there - but the teachers don't get anything special (oh -maybe an exciting pen or notepad).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-11895441812980546412016-06-25T11:34:11.040-05:002016-06-25T11:34:11.040-05:00This is a condensed version of info from a person ...This is a condensed version of info from a person involved in IHL.<br /><br />Teachers meet annually where vendors showcase their products.<br />Teachers vote on which vendors that they want to supply their schools.<br />A list of vendors go on the preferred list.<br />List is given to school and district administrators. <br />List is passed on to IHL.<br />IHL passes on the list to ITS.<br /><br />Vendors are not chosen for their low bids. They are usually chosen by what type of benefits they show to each group.<br /><br />This info came straight from an IHL employee.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-71266638893554117432016-06-25T10:43:56.809-05:002016-06-25T10:43:56.809-05:00I have been a teacher for 12 years, and have never...I have been a teacher for 12 years, and have never been given an "opportunity to vote" for anything - much less a vendor or state contract. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-80181953539131513152016-06-25T10:35:39.933-05:002016-06-25T10:35:39.933-05:009:28, try going to one of their meetings, usually ...9:28, try going to one of their meetings, usually held in one of the casinos. The state used to let the public know which vendors got the OK. Also published the price that was to be paid for what the vendors sold. People got to noticing the higher than average prices vendors were charging and why they got the contracts. Since then nothing is publicized. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-77930250605027988532016-06-25T09:28:27.928-05:002016-06-25T09:28:27.928-05:00Ummm @9:15, no, teachers don't vote on who get...Ummm @9:15, no, teachers don't vote on who gets state contracts. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-37664036459943538372016-06-25T09:25:06.011-05:002016-06-25T09:25:06.011-05:008:16, any suggestions on how to hold candidates ac...8:16, any suggestions on how to hold candidates accountable? We can't even hold elected officials accountable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-71613593974854258332016-06-25T09:15:55.829-05:002016-06-25T09:15:55.829-05:009:01, You do know the teachers vote on who gets th...9:01, You do know the teachers vote on who gets the contracts to be one of the state vendors you are talking about. Of course the teachers do not tell about all of the reasons why they choose a certain vendor. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com